Karim El Ahmadi is deeply impressed: ‘He played as if he had been in Ajax’s starting XI for years’

Karim El Ahmadi liked what he saw from Dies Janse and Aaron Bouwman, the two young centre-backs who started Ajax's 5-2 win over FC Groningen on Sunday.

In central defence, coach Míchel Sánchez paired Janse (20) with Bouwman (19). El Ahmadi felt the decision paid off.

"I thought they both played very well," the pundit said on Dit Was Het Weekend on ESPN. "That also has to do with how you play as a team, but I thought Dies Janse played as though he had been a regular starter for Ajax for years. I thought he was really good."

"And I think it also helps when you play closer together. Defenders look better then, too. Bouwman seemed very composed to me. So they really did play well. And perhaps it helps that they can both speak Dutch. That helps with communicating, too."

El Ahmadi was far less impressed by Marcos Leonardo, who started up front. "The only thing you can say is that he worked incredibly hard. But that's not a good sign for a striker either, especially when you win 5-2. His basic technique, particularly his first touch, is really dreadful."

Kenneth Perez agreed. "He lost possession just before Groningen's goal. And early in the match, he needed to control the ball. He should have got his shot away sooner, because that was too slow as well."

"No, he hasn't convinced me at all. You certainly can't see twenty million euros in him. Normally, you'd say you can at least see something he's good at," Perez concluded critically.